Roman Blind Slats for Triangular Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Roman slat blinds are not suitable for triangular windows, as they require slats to be parallel to the window lintel, which limits their application and aesthetics, and they often need to be lowered into the window sill, making outdoor installation challenging and exposing the slat pack to environmental influences.

Innovation Solution

A Roman slat blind design where slats and the end rail can run parallel to the window sill in the operating position, allowing for rotation around their own joint, enabling them to be stacked vertically without lowering into the window sill, and incorporating a lintel cover for protection, with a drive system that includes an electric motor, support cords, and a guide rail for controlled movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If slats are arranged parallel to the window lintel as in conventional venetian blinds, then the blind structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the blind cannot be aesthetically applied to triangular windows and limits design flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability to triangular windows
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The slats are designed to rotate dynamically around a fixed pivot point during operation. In the operating position, slats are parallel to the window sill (horizontal), but during retraction they rotate to become parallel to the lintel (angled), allowing the blind to adapt to the triangular window geometry while maintaining simple construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a rotational dimension to the slat movement. Instead of only vertical movement parallel to the lintel, slats now have both vertical positioning and rotational orientation capabilities, enabling them to parallel to either the lintel or window sill depending on the operational state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If slats are lowered into the window sill for storage, then the blind structure is compact, but outdoor installation becomes challenging and the slat pack is exposed to environmental influences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidexposure to environmental influences
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the slats from the window sill area during retraction. Instead of lowering slats into the sill, they are pulled upward and rotated to rest on the lintel-side support, removing them from the vulnerable window sill region and protecting them from environmental damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lintel-side support acts as an intermediary structure that receives and holds the retracted slats. This intermediate support element allows the slats to be stored in a protected position on the lintel rather than being forced into the window sill, facilitating both compact storage and environmental protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If slats are rotated around their own joint parallel to the lintel-side support during retraction, then the slat pack remains protected and outdoor installation is facilitated, but the slats do not maintain parallel longitudinal direction during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from environmental influencesVSAvoidparallel longitudinal direction of slats
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The slat orientation is made dynamic rather than static. During retraction, slats rotate around their pivot joints, changing their longitudinal direction from parallel to the window sill (horizontal) to parallel to the lintel (angled). This dynamic reorientation enables protection while accepting temporary loss of parallel alignment during transition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Volume of moving object

If the entire blind can be pulled up into a compact package, then storage space is reduced, but the mechanism becomes more complex with multiple guide systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidguide system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the vertical guidance function and the rotational guidance function into a single integrated pivot joint mechanism. The pivot joint simultaneously provides the axis for rotation and the guide for vertical movement, eliminating the need for separate guide rails and reducing overall system complexity while achieving compact storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2233679B8Venetian blind for triangular windows
Publication Date: 2014.07.30 SCHENKER STOREN

AI summary

The invention relates to a Roman blind (10) for use on triangular windows (12), the slats (20) of which have a direction other than that parallel to the lintel-side support and are, in particular, aligned parallel to the window sill (22) in the operating position. The slats (20) move from a gathered position parallel to the lintel (14) to an unrested operating position by pivoting about a slat joint (70). In this operating position, the slats (20) are parallel to each other and spaced at a constant distance, and are simultaneously rotatable about their longitudinal axis (94) between an open position and a closed position.